Bronze Age Gold from Wales

The Adoration of the Shepherds

A waning lantern illuminates the newborn Christ. His mother Mary remains asleep while Joseph is roused by the shepherds, who have come by night to pay homage to the Holy Child. They are traditionally depicted in the act of adoration, but here the moment of their unexpected arrival at the stable has been captured. Van den Eeckhout's dramatic sense of timing and use of theatrical lighting shows the influence of his master and friend, Rembrandt.

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 29

Creation/Production

EECKHOUT, Gerbrandt van den
Date: 1665

Acquisition

Bequest, 12/12/1963

Measurements

Techniques

oil on canvas
Techniques (fine art)
art dept - fine
Fine Art - painting

Material

oil
canvas

Location

Gallery 03

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